IUPAC’s Flying Chemistry Educators Program holds workshops in developing countries to train teachers at primary, secondary, and college levels. In this 2008 photo, Jorge Ibáñez-Cornejo, a professor at Ibero-American University, discusses an electrochemistry experiment with teachers in Manila, the Philippines.
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
The United Nations of chemistry IUPAC continues to foster communication and application of chemistry worldwide JYLLIAN KEMSLEY, C&EN WEST COAST
CREDIT: MEI-HUNG CHIU
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hemists have been trying to work across international borders for more than 150 years. In 1860, the first international chemistry meeting was organized by German organic chemist F. August Kekulé. Other international gatherings followed and led to the Geneva Congress on Organic Nomenclature in 1892, the first attempt to standardize the naming of molecules. As the field of chemistry continued to grow, so did the need for international consensus and standardization in nomenclature, terminology, metrology, and measurement standards. To meet that demand, in 1919 chemists formed the International Union of Pure & Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). Nearly a century later, IUPAC continues to be a worldwide resource for chemistry. Although IUPAC’s work in areas such as nomenclature remains critical—especially to
ensure computers across the globe can analyze ever-larger data sets—its efforts have expanded to address matters such as an ethical code for chemists, safety training, standard file formats for spectra, various educational needs, and sustainability. “IUPAC is uniquely positioned to allow chemists from around the world to work together to address global challenges,” says Lynn Soby, the organization’s executive director (see page 27). But aside from fanfare when new elements get added to the periodic table, IUPAC accomplishments often go unrecognized by the larger chemistry community. “IUPAC is like an iceberg, in that most of its impact is below the surface,” says Leah McEwen, Cornell University’s chemistry librarian and a member of IUPAC’s Committee on Publications & Cheminformatics Data Standards. McEwen has worked on IUPAC efforts to develop international
IUPAC at a glance ▸ Year founded: 1919 ▸ Number of staff: 5 ▸ Number of volunteers: 1,400 ▸ 2017 budget: $1.5 million
IUPAC’s scientific activities are led by its divisions: Analytical Chemistry Chemical Nomenclature & Structure Representation Chemistry & Human Health Chemistry & the Environment Inorganic Chemistry Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry Physical & Biophysical Chemistry Polymer And its operational committees: Chemical Research Applied to World Needs Chemistry & Industry Chemistry Education Publications & Cheminformatics Data Standards MARCH 6, 2017 | CEN.ACS.ORG | C&EN
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chemical identifiers (InChIs) that computers can read to properly identify a compound. She is also helping with a project to modernize the website for IUPAC’s compendium of terminology (commonly known as the Gold Book). Among other goals, the effort will allow publishers and patent writers to link terms seamlessly to IUPAC definitions. Sometimes called the “United Nations of chemistry,” IUPAC is formally a union of national chemistry or science associations that currently represent 57 countries, including Bangladesh, Croatia, Cuba, Kuwait, Nigeria, and Uruguay. IUPAC is governed primarily by a council composed of delegates from member nations. Individual chemists and companies may also join the union. IUPAC’s work is done on a project basis, and anyone, whether formally affiliated with the union or not, may propose a project. Proposals are reviewed and approved by IUPAC’s divisions, which represent branches of chemistry, or standing committees, which represent areas such as chemistry education. Chemists from member countries may serve on IUPAC committees or divisions as national representatives or associate members. Additional chemists may be recruited to serve on projects. IUPAC also collaborates with other organizations, such as the Committee on Data for Science & Technology (CODATA) and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
“IUPAC is like an iceberg, in that most of its impact is below the surface.”
Overall, approximately 1,400 volunteers actively contribute their time and expertise to IUPAC, supported by five full-time staff members, including Soby. IUPAC’s 2017 budget —Leah McEwen, chemistry librarian, Cornell University is about $1.5 million, which covers salaries and funding for proj“There was a lot of emphasis on trying ects, including travel for groups to meet in to get a real consensus and have the final person, conferences, information technolproduct be something that everyone could ogy, and other expenses. agree on.” IUPAC’s strength is its ability to gather Both academic and industrial organioutstanding scientists from all over the zations support employees devoting their world to weigh in on projects of intertime to IUPAC, volunteers say. Tim Wallnational importance. “These people are ington, Ford Motor’s senior technical leadhighly committed and give their very er for environmental sciences, currently best,” says Mark Cesa, a retired industrial leads an IUPAC task group that evaluates chemist who has been involved in IUPAC kinetic parameters for atmospheric refor two decades through its Committee on actions. “The Ford Co. has an interest in Chemistry & Industry and is the union’s understanding the environmental impact immediate past-president. “Because of the of our products,” Wallington says. “By excellent work of IUPAC volunteers, we contributing to IUPAC’s effort to provide have a strong reputation for objectivity, reliable data for environmental models, and our recommendations are seen as we’re placing our understanding of the trustworthy” among chemists worldwide, current and future atmospheric impacts of Cesa says. our products on a more solid footing.” “The process was very inclusive and Working with IUPAC also enhances everyone’s input was valued,” says Steve chemists’ professional development by givScheiner, a professor of chemistry at Utah ing them experience working with people State University, about his experiences from different cultures, backgrounds, and working on IUPAC projects to define hyviewpoints, volunteers say. drogen bonds and other noncovalent interBut despite its valuable contributions actions involving elements in groups 14–16. to the chemistry enterprise worldwide, IUPAC does face challenges, primarily with its finances. The organization has three funding streams: dues paid by countries, revenue from publications, and investment In 2000, IUPAC started developing machine-readable international chemical income. At its upcoming general assembly, identifiers (InChIs). Now the organization is working to expand InChI notation to be held in conjunction with the World for reactions (RInChI) and mixtures (MInChI). Chemistry Congress in Brazil in July, a hot topic of discussion will be how to equitably InChI for tert-butyllithium: recalculate national dues. As for publications, the union is grappling with how to inInChI=1S/C4H9.Li/c1-4(2)3;/h1-3H3;/q-1;+1 crease circulation worldwide, in particular – how to balance outreach to the developing 1 core atom hydrogen sofware empirical charges world while maintaining a reliable revenue formula connectivity: positions: version 2 atom 1 binds to atoms 1 to 3 stream. Li+ 4 atom 4; atoms 2 have 3 H each Soby became IUPAC executive director & 3 also bind to 4 3 in 2014, and her focus right now is to modernize IUPAC’s operations—one project Draf MInChI for 1.7 M tert-butyllithium in pentane: was to set up an electronic system for award nominations—so the organization can do sofware version MInChI=0.00.0S more with its resources. “We don’t know /C4H9.Li/c1-4(2)3;/h1-3H3;/q-1;+1 what the future will hold, but if you constrain your finances and systems and staff, component & you can only do so much,” she says. separator But once that work is done, she says, C5H12/c1-3-5-4-2/h3-5H2,1-2H3 the organization will be energized and better able to exploit its position to conconcentration /g17mr-1; tinue to provide chemists with tools and other support to solve problems of global importance. ◾
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C&EN | CEN.ACS.ORG | MARCH 6, 2017
CREDIT: LEAH MCEWEN/IUPAC
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